The casting of lots to determine fates has a long history in human society. But lottery as a means of raising funds and allocating prizes is a more recent innovation. The modern state-run lottery emerged in the immediate post-World War II period when states wanted to expand their range of services but without onerous taxes on the middle class and working classes, or cuts in other programs.
A number of states soon adopted lotteries and, with few exceptions, they have enjoyed broad public support ever since. This support often depends on the extent to which the proceeds of a lottery are seen as supporting some specific, public benefit, such as education.
Despite this, the lottery continues to face serious criticism. These criticisms vary in focus, from allegations of compulsive gambling to regressive impacts on low-income households. The latter issue is particularly salient because, as noted earlier, the bulk of lotto players and revenues are drawn from middle-income neighborhoods. In addition, many people who play the lottery are clearly deluded about the odds of winning and have all sorts of quote-unquote systems based on irrational thinking (for example, a belief that there are lucky numbers and stores, or times of day when it is better to buy tickets).
Lottery critics argue that the existence of such systems amounts to a form of coercion, in which state officials force citizens to participate in activities from which they profit. This is a problem in an era when many state governments have become dependent on lottery revenues and faces constant pressures to increase those profits.